BVG to establish a network of up to 20 rapid charging stations for e-buses in Germany

By the end of 2027, BVG will establish a network of up to 20 rapid charging stations at terminus stops across the city as a first step.

This will allow buses to recharge with electricity during regular service, eliminating the need to return to the depot for charging.

Construction begins a few days ago at the Schwarzelfenweg terminus in Pankow. Work will also start shortly at the S-Bahn stations Kaulsdorf and Marzahn.

Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister for Transport, states: “Electric buses are becoming an increasingly central component of a climate-friendly public transport system. However, due to the cost differences compared to conventional buses, the transition is a major challenge for transport operators.“

“Our funding bridges this gap and also supports the development of the necessary infrastructure,” he adds.

With the STELLA project, BVG is investing in modern infrastructure that makes charging buses more practical for everyday operations.

The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) is supporting this with 12.1 million euros.

“BVG has been proving for years that the transition works and is worthwhile – for companies, for citizens, and especially for the environment. In total, the BMV is supporting BVG on its path to an emission-free fleet with around 160 million euros,” Schnieder indicates.

Henrik Falk, CEO of BVG, says: “This is where you’ll find electricity ‘on the go’. Our electric buses operate around the clock and throughout the entire city for our passengers. The new charging technology provides a stable foundation for this.”

The rapid charging station at Schwarzelfenweg is expected to be connected to the grid by early 2026. The next two will follow within a matter of weeks.

The STELLA project is being funded with a total of 12.1 million euros by the Federal Ministry for Transport under the “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Public Transport”.

The funding programme is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Project Management Jülich (PtJ).

Additional support comes from the Berlin Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection, and the Environment.

The new electric buses can recharge in just a few minutes at the stations, providing enough energy for the next leg of their journey.

Each terminus requires a transformer building and a charging station that houses the charging equipment, along with one or more charging masts.

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